Bayi Square (八一广场), located in Donghu District, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, was originally named People’s Square and was established in 1952. Covering an area of 78,000 square meters, it is divided into four main functional areas:
- Memorial Area: Situated in the southern part, covering approximately 21,000 square meters, with green spaces totaling about 6,000 square meters.
- Cultural Area: Central to the square, spanning about 24,000 square meters, with greenery occupying around 10,000 square meters and a water area of approximately 1,680 square meters.
- Remembrance Area: Located at the southern end, featuring a memorial area centered around eight relief sculptures.
- Leisure Area: Positioned in the northern part, covering about 21,000 square meters, with green spaces totaling about 4,000 square meters.
Bayi Square serves as the heart of Nanchang City and is the largest urban central square in Jiangxi Province. It is a significant venue for political, economic, cultural, and recreational activities in both the city and the province. At its center stands the Bayi Nanchang Uprising Memorial Tower, featuring an inscription by Marshal Ye Jianying, commemorating the historic events of the August 1st Nanchang Uprising.
Table of Contents
- Basic Informaiton
- Location and Transportation
- Highlights of Bayi Square
- Vlog about Bayi Square
- Other Attractions in Nanchang Urban Area
Basic Informaiton
| Estimated Length of Tour | 0.5 – 1 hour |
| Ticket Price | Free |
| Opening Hours | 24 hours a day |
Location and Transportation
Bayi Square is located in Donghu District, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province. It sits at the intersection of major urban streets such as Bayi Avenue, Beijing West Road, Zhongshan Road, and Ruzi Road, making it a central and easily accessible landmark in the city. To get there, you can choose one of the following ways:
Bus: Take bus 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 13, 215, 220, or 232 and get off at Bayi Square East Stop (八一广场东站).
Metro: The closest metro station is Bayi Square (八一广场) on Line 1 and Line 2. After getting out of the station from Eixt 2, you will be standing at the center of the square.
Highlights of Bayi Square
Memorial Tower
The centerpiece of Bayi Square is the Memorial Tower, standing at 53.6 meters tall. It consists of a base, pedestal, tower body, and top. The front of the pedestal is engraved with a brief introduction to the August 1st Nanchang Uprising, while the east, south, and west sides feature relief sculptures depicting figures from the armed uprising. The front of the tower body is adorned with large gilt-bronze characters reading “八一南昌起义纪念塔 (August 1st Nanchang Uprising Memorial Tower).” At the top, there is a towering “Hanyang-made” rifle and the flag of the August 1st Army.
Military History Reliefs
Surrounding the central area of the square are eight reliefs depicting significant military themes of the People’s Liberation Army of China. These reliefs portray events such as the Nanchang Uprising, Autumn Harvest Uprising, Jinggangshan Campaign, Red Capital Ruijin, Long March, Anti-Japanese War behind Enemy Lines, Liberation War, and the Great Wall of Steel. On their backs are reliefs of Jiangxi’s eight national scenic spots, including Jinggangshan Mountain, Mount Lu, Mount Sanqing, Sanbaishan Mountain, Mount Longhu, Xianren Lake, Meiling Ridge, and Guifeng Peak.
Music Fountain
The Music Fountain at Bayi Square is a spectacular visual and auditory experience. Located on both sides of the Jinshui Bridge, the fountain features a range of dynamic water jets arranged in various shapes and heights. The performance combines the beauty of water displays with a selection of patriotic songs including “March of the People’s Liberation Army,” “Ode to the Yellow River,” “The Workers Have Power,” “We Are Soldiers,” “For Whom,” and “Entering the New Era.”
Each performance tells the story of the 129th Division of the Eighth Route Army’s heroic battles in the Taihang Mountains, using 1,290 nozzles to recreate dramatic scenes from their struggle. The fountain shows are scheduled from May to September at 7:30 PM and 8:30 PM, and from October to April at 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM. Each show lasts for about 15 minutes, offering a vibrant display of water choreography accompanied by a rich musical soundtrack.
